HOW THE ALLIANCE COMMUNITY AND A TENACIOUS GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE INSPIRED A YOUTH-LED TIKTOK CAMPAIGN AIMED AT INCREASING FAFSA COMPLETION

In August 2023, high school seniors began submitting their college applications and college students made their way to campuses nationwide. The Better FAFSA promised to streamline and improve the traditional financial aid process, but a delayed launch, coupled with ongoing technical glitchesand processing issues, created huge hurdles for hundreds of thousands of students across the country in determining and accessing financial resources for college. The challenges have been felt most deeply and directly by first-generation students, students of color, and students from underserved and low-incomebackgrounds—those who stand to benefit the mostfrom student aid. 

Our hearts are heavy today with the passing of our dear friend, Board Chair Emeritus, and lifelong advocate for young people, Alma Powell. 

Throughout our 25-year history, Mrs. Powell was not only a champion of our work, but a central figure in our success.  

WHY A MORE CONNECTED FIELD IS KEY TO ADVANCING POSTSECONDARY ACCESS AND SUCCESS

Just last month, 37 CEOs and senior program leaders representing 18 of the nation’s leading postsecondary access and success organizations came together for a unique, three-day gathering in Washington, D.C.  

Last month marked our first full year of programming — and two years since our official launch — for the reimagined Alliance community. 

To honor this milestone, we had the opportunity to convene several of our Leadership Cohorts at Lone Rock in Colorado to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together this year and begin to coalesce around shared goals for our community and our collective work over the next several years.